title: Prevalence and severity of antipsychotic related constipation in patients with schizophrenia: a retrospective descriptive study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antipsychotic are the cornerstone in the treatment of schizophrenia. They also have a number of side-effects. Constipation is thought to be common, and a potential serious side-effect, which has received little attention in recent literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study in consecutively admitted patients, between 2007 and 2009 and treated with antipsychotic medication, linking different electronic patient data to evaluate the prevalence and severity of constipation in patients with schizophrenia under routine treatment conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a period of 22 months 36.3% of patients (99) received at least once a pharmacological treatment for constipation. On average medication for constipation was prescribed for 273 days. Severe cases (N = 50), non-responsive to initial treatment, got a plain x-ray of the abdomen. In 68.4% fecal impaction was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high prevalence of constipation, often severe and needing medical interventions, was confirmed during the study period. Early detection, monitoring over treatment and early intervention of constipation could prevent serious consequences such as ileus.
authors.affiliation: University Psychiatric Centre Catholic University Louvain, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium. marc.de.hert@uc-kortenberg.be
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dockx
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bernagie
authors.forename: Bie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peuskens
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sweers
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leucht
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van de Straete
authors.forename: Martien
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wampers
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peuskens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004733:Enema; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007792:Lactulose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D007792:Lactulose; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone